Supreme Court directs Centre to frame guidelines on environmental compensation under SWM Rules, 2026

The Supreme Court has directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to frame comprehensive guidelines for the levy of environmental compensation under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. The Court observed that a uniform framework is necessary to ensure consistent implementation of the "polluter pays" principle and avoid arbitrary imposition of environmental compensation by regulatory authorities. The guidelines are expected to bring greater certainty and consistency to the enforcement of environmental compensation provisions under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026